Depression in acute stroke.

OBJECTIVE Depression is one of the most frequent neuropsychiatric disturbances in stroke patients. The clinical aspects and correlations of depression in the first days after acute stroke are less known. This study aimed to 1) assess the frequency of depression, 2) describe the profile of depression of stroke patients and 3) analyze the relation between depression and demographic, predisposing and precipitating conditions, and clinical and imaging data, in acute stroke patients. METHODS We used the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale to assess depression in 178 consecutive acute ( 0.45) of depression between control subjects and acute stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS Depression was present in almost one-half of the acute stroke patients and was related to previous mood disorder but not not to stroke type or location. Apathy/loss of interest was the predominant clinical feature.